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US 9,433,311 B2Granted
Twist-fold containers
AssigneeMandarin Associates Ltd.
InventorBarro de Gast
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Twist-fold containers include wires that are pivotally connected to channels formed in the containers. Using a twisting motion, the containers including the wires are collapsed. The collapsing, twisting motion is produced though the use of wires that are displaced in a plurality of locations along the circumference of the container. The wires include horizontal sections that are configured to be retained in the base or rim of the container in a manner that permits them to rotate to transition the container between expanded and collapsed positions.
Claims18
A set of collapsible twist-fold containers comprising:
- an upper container;
- a lower container;
- and
- a plurality of wires attaching the upper container to the lower container, the plurality of wires each having a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally horizontal portion, the first generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of upper channels carried on a rim of the upper container, and the second generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of lower channels carried on a rim of the lower container;
- wherein the upper container is supported above the lower container by the plurality of wires such that a central axis extends through the center of the upper container and the lower container;
- whereby the set of containers is selectively positionable between an expanded position in which the upper container is positioned distant from the lower container and supported by the plurality of wires, and a collapsed position in which the upper container is rotated about the central axis and positioned relatively closer to the lower container and nested within the lower container, each of the plurality of wires being rotatably movable within each of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to transition the set of containers between the expanded position and the collapsed position, the plurality of wires remaining within the plurality of channels in the expanded position, the collapsed position, and the transition between the expanded position and the collapsed position.
3 more elements
A set of collapsible twist-fold containers comprising:
- an upper container;
- a lower container, the upper container being smaller than the lower container;
- and
- a plurality of wires supporting the upper container above the lower container such that a central axis extends through the center of the upper container and the lower container, the plurality of wires each having a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally horizontal portion, the first generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of upper channels carried in the upper container, and the second generally horizontal portion being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of lower channels carried on the lower container;
- the set of containers being selectively positionable between an expanded position in which the upper container is positioned distant from the lower container and supported by the plurality of wires, and a collapsed position in which the upper container is positioned relatively closer to the second container and the plurality of wires are in a spiral configuration between the upper container and the lower container, each of the plurality of wires being rotatably movable within each of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to transition the set of containers between the expanded position and the collapsed position, the plurality of wires remaining within the plurality of channels in the expanded position, the collapsed position, and the transition between the expanded position and the collapsed position.
2 more elements
A set of collapsible twist-fold containers comprising:
- an upper container;
- a lower container;
- and
- a plurality of wires attached to the upper container and the lower container to support the upper container above the lower container, the plurality of wires each having a first generally horizontal portion and a second generally horizontal portion, each of the first generally horizontal portions being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of upper channels carried on the upper container, and each of the second generally horizontal portions being pivotally received within a separate one of a plurality of lower channels carried on the lower container, wherein a central axis extends through the center of the upper container and the lower container;
- the set of containers being selectively positionable between (1) an expanded position in which the upper container is positioned distant from the lower container and supported by the plurality of wires, and further in which the upper container is in a first rotational position about the central axis with respect to the lower container, and (2) a collapsed position in which the upper container is positioned relatively closer to the lower container and in which the upper container is twisted to a second rotational position about the central axis with respect to the lower container, the plurality of wires forming a spiral configuration when in the collapsed position;
- and
- wherein each of the plurality of wires is rotatably movable within each of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to transition the set of containers between the expanded position and the collapsed position, the plurality of wires remaining within the plurality of channels in the expanded position, the collapsed position, and a transition between the expanded position and the collapsed position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.